Events

Current and Upcoming Events

Chicago Ideas Week

CSM will be participating in this year’s edition of Chicago Ideas Week. In conjunction with the “Chicago: Big Shoulders, Big Future” talk taking place on Tuesday, October 15th from 4:00 to 5:30pm at the Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Street Musicians will be involved in “activations” before and after the talk.

Musicians George Banks, Jeff Dickinson, Christopher James and Milly Mango will be playing and available for conversation at the event. CSM will be at the MCA from 3:30 to 6:30pm.

Chicago Ideas Week is a premier annual gathering of global thought leaders created to provoke new ideas and inspire actionable results. Their goal is to stimulate new initiatives and ventures, create new connections and collaborations, and establish a community of people who have the desire to achieve great things.

The entire week runs from October 14th to 20th. You can find out more on the Chicago Ideas Week site: www.chicagoideas.com/

Past Events

Street Music Coming To Six Downtown Chicago Potbelly Shops

Chicago Street Musicians has partnered with Potbelly Sandwich Shop during the months of April and May to bring street and subway performers into their musical rotation. Chris James (Hendrix-esque guitar talent!), Charles Pryor (trumpet), Asha and Martin (vocal and guitar duo) and Kaliq Woods (clarinet) will be performing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 2 PM at six downtown Chicago Potbelly locations.

Born from humble beginnings as a small antique shop on Chicago’s North Side, Potbelly Sandwich Shop has grown from one to more than 200 neighborhood locations. Potbelly has amassed a passionate, loyal following, building its reputation as a mealtime hangout spot, where great food, friends, eclectic décor and live, local music combine to create an atmosphere unlike any other. For additional information, please visit: http://potbelly.com.

October 26, 2011 | StreetFood Artistry 2011, Part Deux

Come support Chicago Street Musicians at StreetFood Artistry 2011, Part Deux and enjoy an evening of networking and fun! Event will take place at Three Peas Art Lounge at 75 East 16th Street in Chicago. Don’t miss the chance to win great prizes from Sax Chicago, Thrive Medical Spa, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chicago Sinfonietta. You can purchase tickets – which only cost $10! – here: http://sfagivesback.ettend.com. More info here: http://streetfoodartistrychicago.com/?page_id=26.

August 14, 2011 | StreetFood Artistry 2011

Chicago Street Musicians will be performing at StreetFood Artistry 2011. CSM will also be one of the featured charities for the event and will benefit from StreetFood Artistry’s silent auction. We hope you will be able to attend!

StreetFood Artistry is an inaugural festival celebrating the tapestry of street food and art in Chicago. Join us as we spotlight cuisine from Chicago’s eclectic street food scene: pop-up restaurants, street-inspired dishes, gourmet food trucks, old school food carts… The event will feature food tastings, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations for aspiring kiddie and adult chefs, exhibitions of Chicago street art and photography and a silent auction to benefit area non-profits that cultivate youth in culinary arts and Chicagoans in need. More information is available here.

June 3, 2011 | Chris James: Live at the House of Blues

June 2, 2011 | Keithen Terrell: Live at the House of Blues

May 13, 2011 | Meisha Herron: Live at the House of Blues

Meisha Herron performs on the Back Porch stage.

March 3, 2011 | Street Home Chicago: Chicago Street Musicians Live At The House Of Blues

CHICAGO (Jan. 21, 2011) – CSM has partnered with the House of Blues Chicago (329 N Dearborn / 312.923.2000) to host the first-ever “Street Home Chicago” concert on Thursday, March 3rd at 9 p.m. The concert will feature a handful of Chicago’s most talented subway and street performers playing both their original music and covers. Nicholas Barron, a former street performer and 2007 New York Times Emerging Artist Award winner will emcee the event. Mr. Barron, founder and director of the Coalition for the Advancement of Street Art (CASA), will also present on his organization’s efforts to support street art.

Musicians that will be performing include:Keithen Terrell and his band, The Keithen Terrell Banks Story“Bringing the funk and blues”
Born in Chicago, Keithen Terrell was raised in Schlater, Mississippi. His first instrument was the keyboard until a “longing in [his] soul” caused him to teach himself guitar. Keithen feels that the being a street performer allows him to practice and develop a stage presence in front of a crowd. He hopes that people realize that street and subway musicians are “artists who love to do what [they] do.”

The Real Connection“And their soulful Motown harmonies”
The Real Connection consists of Ron Christian, Norman Smith and Joseph Ellison. The trio has been playing together for nine years and can usually be found at the downtown Red Line stops. Ron, who sings and leads the group, grew up in a musical family, and began singing in his church choir. Vocalist Norman Smith enjoys seeing the reaction of passers-by to his singing and has been performing in the subway since 1993! Joseph, who plays guitar and sings with the trio, grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and has been playing in the subway for over 15 years.

Meisha Herron“And her angelic voice”
Meisha Herron is an incredible vocalist and guitar player. Meisha is a musician and singer/songwriter that has performed with notable blues artists Lovie Lee, Jimmy Burns and Shirley King, as well as with jazz vocalist, Maggie Brown, to name a few. She studied creative writing and took private guitar lessons at Columbia College. Her musical influences are varied, from Prince to Joan Armatrading to Nina Simone. She is currently working on new material for her upcoming album.

Chris James and his band, the Wall of Rhythm“Featuring the magical, Hendrix-esque guitar stylings of Chris James”
Chris James is a talented guitarist who also plays violin and harmonica. He joined the U.S. Navy from 2006-2010, where he won a talent show for his guitar playing aboard the USS George Washington. He relocated to Chicago in June 2010 and currently is a music student. His band, Wall of Rhythm, also features two hand percussionists playing African drums.

Nicholas Barron, emcee for the event, is a singer-songwriter who has made his living through music for more than two decades. He has seven records out on his own label, and one record that was released on Candyrat records out of Milwaukee. In January of 2007, the Nicholas Barron Band was introduced as the launch artists for the New York Times Emerging Artists series at Joe’s Pub in NYC. He has opened for: Al Green, BB King, Joan Armatrading, Johnny Cash, War, Average White Band, Michael Bolton, The Meters, Eleni Mendel, Tuck and Patti, Charlie Hunter, Medeski Martin and Wood, Karl Denson, and Buddy Guy. He has sung on numerous national and local TV spots, including Comcast, Coors, Miller Light, Cherry 7-Up, McDonalds, Applebees, Supercuts, and on and on. In August 2008, Nicholas began painting and is now a full-time painter as much as he is a musician.

CSM Director Gabriel Chapman is extremely excited about the event, the first of its kind to his knowledge. “I’ve often enjoyed listening to street performers on my way to and from work. This will be a great opportunity to savor their incredible music. Attendees will not be disappointed by the showmanship and soulful music these performers have to offer.”

Additional details details about the show will be posted over the course of the next month. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates.

Mike Wozniak is a graphic designer who lives and works in Chicago. Mike has made some exciting posters of the musicians participating in Street Home Chicago that will be on display during the concert and available for purchase.

Spoon Photo & Design specializes in engagement, wedding and portrait photography, as well as custom-designed save-the-dates, invitations, announcements and thank you cards. Spoon Photo & Design will be taking photos during the performances.

Chicago Street Musicians Partners With The Active Transportation Alliance On Chicagoland Car-Free Day

On Wednesday, September 22, Chicago Street Musicians (CSM) will be partnering with the Active Transportation Alliance for the “Chicagoland Car-Free Day,” an event that is part of World Car-free Day and the one moment when people around the world pledge to go sans auto.
Instead of sitting in the driver’s seat on Wednesday, Sept. 22, take a pledge to leave your car at home. Everyone is invited to take the Chicagoland Car-Free Day Pledge, no matter if you already walk, bike or take public transit.
By taking the pledge, you’ll be eligible to receive special discounts from businesses like Sports Authority, Argo Tea and I-GO Car Sharing. For the 2010 Car-Free Day, the Active Transportation Alliance is again partnering with CTA, Metra, Pace, RTA and communities around the region to shine a spotlight on the ways to get around without driving.
Chicago Street Musicians will be performing all day at various locations including the Red line Jackson stop and the Blue Line Jackson and Washington stops.
Take the car-free pleadge and learn more about the Active Transportation Alliance at www.activetrans.org.

Chicago Street Musicians Video Premiere and Concert

Chicago Street Musicians (CSM) invites you to attend its first-ever music video launch and concert party, featuring the talents of Chicago Street Musicians from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, at Joe’s on Weed Street (940 W. Weed Street).
The event will include the debut of CSM’s first music video and performances by local Chicago street musicians.
Admission is free and drinks are included. Please invite your friends. Please RSVP via our Facebook page.
Thank you to Joe’s and Martin Guitars for their sponsorship.

About The Video

CSM’s first music video “Sweet Home Chicago” features the talents of 16 street musicians throughout the city of Chicago. Included in the video is American Idol contestant, Crystal Bowersox, before her days as an international super-star, as well as Keithen Terrell, George Banks, Scott Dusenberry, Ron Christian, Norman Smith, Joseph Ellison, Tim Anderson, Cortez Harrington, Howard Wallace, Vimont Brogsdale, Fritz Legros, Jerry Williams, Jerome Tolliver, Robert O’Shall and Thomas White.
The music video was shot in August of 2009 by a team of well-known producers and film directors who donated their time and talents to support the voice of Chicago street musicians. The crew included: Mark Schimmel, Co-Producer and Film Director; Gary Gry, Co-Producer; Randy Riesen, Videographer; John Mathie, Audio Engineer; and AJ Kane, Photographer. Members of the crew will be in attendance.

Chicago Street Musicians To Perform At Chicago Spring Half Marathon

On Sunday, May 16th, several Chicago street musicians will be performing to pump up and cheer on the runners in this year’s Chicago Half Marathon. The race starts at 7:00am and runs along Lake Shore Drive with start and finish near Randolph Street and Lake Shore Drive. You can check out the course map here. Find out more about the event here.

Fritz Legros To Perform At Haiti Relief: An Evening Of Solidarity

Fritz Legros, talented classical guitarist and “Haitian One-Man Band,” will be performing at Haiti Relief: An Evening of Solidarity on Saturday, April 17th, 7:00-10:30pm. The event will take place at Bethany Union Church (1750 W 103rd St, Chicago, IL) and will feature several live bands, Haitian food and dancing. Tickets are $20.00 in advance, $25.00 at the door and $10.00 for children under 10. Proceeds for the concert will benefit the Haitian Health Foundation (http://haitianhealthfoundation.org). Tickets available at Blue Moon Cafe (99th and Wood St) or call 773-779-0877 or 773-239-1439.

Chicago Street Musicians Help Launch New Columbia Store On Mag Mile This Weekend

Twelve CSM performers will help launch the new Columbia store opening this weekend at 830 North Michigan Avenue. Look for them this Thursday through Sunday performing at various spots from 430 to 830 North Michigan Avenue. The musicians will be decked out in Columbia gear and performing a number of upbeat tunes in collaboration with Rumblefish and Columbia. Read more about the opening here. Stop by and say ‘hi’!

On Wednesday, September 16th, Chicago 2016 announced that celebrations will take place on each of the final 16 days leading up to the International Olympic Committee’s vote for the 2016 host city. “Unexpected surprises” have been planned to take place at locations throughout the city, culminating in a live broadcast of the host city decision in Daley Plaza at 9am on October 2nd. Chicago Street Musicians will perform at several of the upcoming events.
The countdown kicked off at Daley Plaza at 11am on Wednesday, September 16th. Visit Chicago 2016 for more info.

On Tuesday, September 22, Chicago Street Musicians (CSM) will be partnering with the Active Transportation Alliance for the “Chicagoland Car-Free Day,” an event that is part of World Car-free Day and the one moment when people around the world pledge to go sans auto. Chicago Street Musicians will be performing all day at various locations including the Red line Jackson stop and the Blue Line Jackson and Washington stops.
Learn more about the Active Transportation Alliance at www.activetrans.org.

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